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Will I like Ardbeg Uigeadail?

2 26

@TheConscience
TheConscience started a discussion

Here's the situation:

I rarely have the opportunity to sample whiskies (at a pub for example - and when I do have an opportunity they never stock Ardbeg). As a result, I research my whiskies before making purchases, since I often have to purchase 'blind'.

This method has worked relatively well so far, but has several weaknesses where peated whiskies are concerned. The many contradictory or insufficiently detailed reviews online and in print do not permit me to make an informed decision and, therefore, I have not been able to discern whether it would fit within my preferences for peated drams.

My preferences: peat, refined smoke (ex Lagavulin, Talisker, Longrow, some Bruichladdichs, Highland Park, Black Grouse)

My dislikes: flavours and aromas characterized as medicinal or iodine or seaweed; in-you-face harsh smoke (ex Laphroaig, Caol Ila).

I would love to try an Ardbeg, considering the rave reviews it receives, but I do not want to be left with an expensive bottle of something I don't really enjoy. I am hoping that the more experienced members here can help pinpoint where Uigeadail falls within my range of preferences.

12 years ago

26 replies

@SquidgyAsh
SquidgyAsh replied

That could be a difficult one my friend. Uigeadail is a very yummy bottle, but there are some definite medicinal undertones in it. However for me, it never ruined the whisky. Mind you that being said I don't care for heavily medicinal whiskies and I found the Uigeadail to have just enough of it for me.

Real quick question though, why not grab a bottle of Ardbeg 10 yr old and see how you like that compared to buying a substantially more expensive bottle? Mind you I plan on several Ardbeg purchases mainly due to the Uigeadail and Corryvreckin, but I am curious.

I'm sure the veterns will be along soon though to weigh in though!

12 years ago 0

@BlueNote
BlueNote replied

Agreed. The 10 is the place to start the Ardbeg journey. It has all the elements and characteistics that Arbeg is famous for, but in accessible presentation. Can't go wrong.

12 years ago 0

Jason0142 replied

For me Ardbeg doesn't really have Laphroaig's high medicinal and seaweed flavour. I wasn't a very big fan of Laphroaig when I tried their 10yo but Love almost all of the Ardbeg bottles. You should defiantly try Ardbeg 10 as a starting point of the range. If you like that give the Uigeadail a go.

12 years ago 0

@MacBaker62
MacBaker62 replied

My first Ardbeg was the excellent 10 year old that I will purchase again.

After that I tried the stunningly good Ellenstown 10 year old, which is well rumored to be a cast strength (58% abc) Adbeg 10 year old!

The current Ardbeg representative in my whisky collection is the Uigeadail, which is nothing short of brilliant! It's peaty and smoky as you would expect, but it's got a sweetness and complexity the 10 year old lacks. It's one of the most balanced Islay single malts I've had the pleasure of tasting so far.

12 years ago 0

@Victor
Victor replied

Too much shadow-boxing for Ontario prices! Just make friends with someone with a bottle of Uigeadail and have a glass.

And about the Ardbeg 10. I like Ardbeg 10 just fine, but it is entirely possible that you will like the Uigeadail and not the 10. If you want to know about Uigeadail, drink some Uigeadail.

12 years ago 0

@cpstecroix
cpstecroix replied

If you're in Toronto, there are ars you can try oogy...message me and I'll steer you in the right direction. And I agree with Victor, the prices here are not worth it for any ardbeg IMO

12 years ago 0

@TheConscience

@SquidgyAsh Thanks for the reply! This is helpful, and exactly the kind of detail I am looking for.

To address your question and the recommendation of others, the reason I was interested in Uigeadail rather than the 10 year old is because, based on the Ardbeg expressions available to me, it seemed to have the characteristics that I would most prefer. Thus, I was willing to jump the queue to the expression I would most likely enjoy, rather than start from the entry level. I may take your advice, though, and try out the 10 year old first, you know, for educational purposes.

12 years ago 0

@TheConscience

@Victor I wish it were that easy for me. If it were, I would not be here starting embarrassingly novice threads like this. I've been to 2 pubs in a year and half (I don't get out to pubs much, or restaurants), and neither carried Ardbeg. And among my whisky drinking companions, I am the only one who enjoys peated whisky (bizarre, I know). So I'm pretty much on my own with the peaty stuff.

I may be venturing to the US soon and will have the opportunity to pick up Ardbeg for less than half of what it costs in Ontario. This mitigates some of the price problem. If I can be better understand exactly what I will be getting then I will likely pick up a bottle for my whisky education.

12 years ago 1Who liked this?

@TheConscience

@MacBaker62 A very persuasive response. Thanks!

12 years ago 0

@Nurd52
Nurd52 replied

Get the 10YO you will not regret it. I used to hate all things Islay, but that's because I started with Laphroig 18YO and it's has a distinct taste that turns off many a drinker. Thanks to the Ardbeg, I now look at the Laphroig in a different way and it's not bad tasting now.

The Oog is a step up from the 10YO but in a different way I think, with a different mouth feel for one and an very pronounced finish.

Dial in to Ardbeg with the 10YO as the others here have suggested as it's a good reference point..

12 years ago 0

Marcus replied

Go for the 10. Strong peat and smoke, but one of the most affordable Islay expressions. I find the Uigeadail to be very heavy on the smoke and peat, with a more oily texture. However, almost any Ardbeg quickly becomes a friend of mine.

12 years ago 0

@chickenium
chickenium replied

@TheConscience Go for the Uigeadail, you won't regret it. There are some medicinal undertones but nothing that compares with the Laphroaigs IMO. The Uigeadail's balance is so good it's scary, it is definitely one of my top 3 bottles.

I will also echo my fellow enthusiasts here and definitely recommend the ten year old. It is amazing for the price.

12 years ago 0

@MaltActivist
MaltActivist replied

I'm going to come in here and throw a wrench in the works! All the suggestions are absolutely spot on, however, I would like to advise you on something a little different.

I know exactly what kind of taste you have (I used to be exactly like that!) so my advice is forget the Ardbeg 10 and Uigeadail - for now. Instead go in for the equally affordable Ardbeg Corryvreckan. It is truly an awesome malt with exactly the right balance of peat and silky fruit - just what your palate needs!

12 years ago 1Who liked this?

@valuewhisky
valuewhisky replied

I haven't had Uigeadail, but I've had Ardbeg 10 and many other peaty malts, my favorite being Talisker. I must say that I feel that the Ardbeg peat has a very similar flavor to the Talisker peat, quite unlike Laphroaig, Bowmore, or Lagavulin. Ardbeg 10 is a bit less rich - it's "sharper" and hotter than Talisker, but a similar peat flavor.

So, being someone who really enjoys Talisker and Highland Park, I will say that Ardbeg is by far my favorite Islay, well ahead of Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Bowmore, or Caol Ila, mainly due to the flavor of the peat that is similar to Talisker.

12 years ago 0

Marcus replied

I shall be a second thrower of the monkey wrench, and recommend two others - Talisker 2011 Distiller's Edition and Bunnahabhain 12. The Talisker rates as my #1 all time favorite - smoky, sweet, nutty, smooth, just a truly phenomenal Islay. The Bunnahabhain is an Islay without the heaviest of peat like Ardbeg and Laphroaig, but a smooth and smoky whisky nonetheless.

12 years ago 0

@TheConscience

@Nurd52 Thanks for the input. "Dial in to Ardbeg with the 10YO" - Funny. Whether intended or not, a clever play on the two expression under discussion.

@chickenium Thanks for the details. I won't mind some medicinal undertones, but one rarely find this kind of detail in the reviews and, thus, your assess is quite helpful in my decision making.

12 years ago 1Who liked this?

@TheConscience

@tabarakRazvi I hadn't even considered the Corryvreckan, since it is insanely expensive here in Ontario. I will have to review its tasting notes, but it has often been described in a way that seems off-putting to me. You do , however, manage to make it sound quite appealing.

12 years ago 1Who liked this?

@TheConscience

@valuewhisky This is a wonderfully informative comparison.

And @Marcus as well, Talisker is one of my all time favourite malts. I would rank Talisker 57 North as one of my top two or three. Lovely peat, sweet, salt, and maritime. Anything comparing to Talisker or HP will rate highly with me.

12 years ago 1Who liked this?

@MacBaker62
MacBaker62 replied

@tabarakRazvi Good suggestion.

I took my wife with me last thursday, to a local tasting event. It was the St. Louis stop of the Ardbeg Rocket Tour, where we got to try several whiskies in the Ardbeg range, and she found the Corryvreckan to be her favorite. I still preferred the Uigeadail, but the Corryvreckan was very tasty too!

12 years ago 0

Marcus replied

All this talk of Uigeadail has forced me to open my bottle and pour a wee dram, as I haven't had any in a while. I do this purely for research purposes, and to assist my fellow connoisseurs, of course. I don't find this expression to be overly medicinal or have a heavy iodine flavor, although there is a bit. Not enough to overpower other flavors, though. Lots of spice, some burn (due to the higher ABV), lots of leather and brine. I find it to be more briny than smoky, although there is still some smoke, primarily on the initial taste. The aftertaste is long and lingering, with some smoke remaining in the mouth, with an oily, creamy finish. Almost leaves the mouth coated in the flavor. Even though I don't like salmon (detest it, in fact), it leaves a bit of smoked salmon flavor in the aftertaste. Keeping this whisky in the mouth brings out some of the sweetness and nuttiness as well. Altogether a true Islay monster, and one of my very favorites.

12 years ago 1Who liked this?

@TheConscience

@Marcus Thanks for the detailed review!

12 years ago 0

@Pudge72
Pudge72 replied

Hi 'TheConscience'...you'll like it much better than Bowmore 12!! :) If you're ever down in London, The Coates of Arms pub has Ardbeg 10 for a reasonable (for Ontario) $10 for a dram. Come on down!!

FYI, if you're heading to Illinois, here's what Binny's has in stock (using 'Ardbeg' in the search field):

www.binnys.com/spirits/ardbeg

It appears that the Binny's website was redesigned in the past week, so that you can now check the availability of a particular bottle, at a particular location online (woo hoo!!). FYI, in Michigan, if you can find a store selling the bottles at state minimum pricing, the Oogie is $5 more expensive while the Corry is $5 cheaper. 'Aboutchoice' may be able to direct you to a store with those specific bottles.

Don't forget the duty free allowances for Ontario (DM me or 'dbk' if you need details). Happy shopping!!

12 years ago 0

@TheConscience

@Pudge72 Ha! Indeed, I imagine I will!

If everything works out, I may be heading to Chicago where I absolutely plan to stop by Binny's, especially now that I am equipped to do so (I just noticed their new website feature and find it quite helpful). They have a staggering selection, dwarfing anything here in Ontario, and it will be difficult to decide which ones to bring home.

12 years ago 0

@Pudge72
Pudge72 replied

@TheConscience ...Binny's is indeed awesome...the three bottles at the top of my cabinet listing are recent additions from the Skokie & Niles stores (only 10 minutes apart from one another). Since the travel arrangements allowed, my wife was also able to bring back the Corryvreckan for 'WhiskyJoe' as it is more difficult to find than the Uigeadail (I hope to add both bottles, and the 10, to my collection over the years via daytrips to Michigan...all bottles declared, of course...my Binny's purchases were focused on those that I could only reasonably obtain at Binny's).

12 years ago 1Who liked this?

@Wills
Wills replied

10$ for a dram which is 2cl I guess? I would go for the 10yo with my last 50 bucks with my eyes shut and my purse, mouth and heart opened!

12 years ago 0

Marcus replied

One more - for a very inexpensive (around $20 here in New Orleans) taste of Islay, Black Bottle can't be beat. A blend of 5 Islays, it's a very good whisky for the price.

12 years ago 0

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@Wills@SquidgyAsh